Dunkin’ Donuts Says Its 600-Calorie Sandwiches Are “Snacks” Not Meals

The chain says it is getting into the snacking industry, but a bacon chicken sandwich is not a snack

In an interview with the Associated Press, Dunkin’ Donuts CEO Nigel Travis says the chain’s sandwiches are snacks, not lunch.

“We’re not moving into lunch. We’re in snacking. We never talk about lunch,” said Travis in an interview with the AP. So, apparently that bacon ranch chicken sandwich is just a little pick-me-up to get us through the day?

Dunkin’ Donuts’ sandwich options can range from around 360 calories for a grilled chicken flatbread sandwich to 660 calories for the bacon ranch chicken sandwich. Breakfast sandwiches start at 150 calories, but most are closer to 500 calories or more.

Ask any nutritionists and they’ll tell you a snack should be a handful of almonds or a banana—something in the 100-200 calorie range that contains protein, fiber, natural sugar or a little fat to keep you satiated. The Mayo Clinic, for instance, recommends snacks be around 100 calories and they suggest things like baby carrots, low-fat yogurt, and nuts. The USDA suggests similar things, like veggies with hummus, apple slices, and pumpkin seeds.

Dunkin’ Donuts appears to be jumping on the trend of fast food restaurants getting into serving more snacks, reports the AP, and it’s true that many diets recommend “grazing” or “snacking” as a better way to stay satisfied throughout the day. But when nutritionists recommend regular light meals over three squares, they aren’t talking about fried chicken with bacon between two slices of white bread. Walnuts, anyone?

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